REMEMBERING MICHIGAN

i received this in an email. This will be interesting to us who are Seniors, maybe not so interesting to others.


REMEMBERING MICHIGAN .....
Brings back a lot of memories....In 1688, Father Jacques Marquette founded the first permanent settlement in what would later become Michigan .
Novi was the 6th stop on the Pony Express.
The Stars and Stripes first flew over Michigan soil on July 11, 1796.
When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805, Detroit was chosen as its capital. Bagley's Corner was the original name of Bloomfield Hills. Hog's Hollow was the original name of Utica , Mich.
The first soft drink, (Vernor's Ginger Ale) was introduced by a Detroit Pharmacist, James A Vernor, in 1866. Note: There were several 'elixirs' on the market at that time, including what would later be called Coca Cola. These contained alcohol, whereas Vernor's didn't. Thus the name 'soft' drink.
In 1870, Detroit became the nation's first telephone customers to have phone numbers assigned to them.
Michigan's first police woman began walking the beat in Detroit in 1893.
Charles A Lindbergh was born in Detroit on Feb. 4, 1902.
Opened in 1904, the nation's oldest freshwater aquarium is the Belle Isle Aquarium.
In Sept. 1908, William C Durant organized several independent automobile plants into what was to become General Motors. Michigan began charging an annual license fee of 50 cents in 1905.
From 1910 to 1920, Hamtramck Michigan grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents, leading the nation in growth for that period.
The world's first painted highway center lines were featured in Trenton , MI in 1911. They were used in other towns and that was how Centerline, MI got its name.
The intersection of Woodward and Grand Avenues in Detroit proudly displayed the world's first traffic light in 1915.
In 1936, Escanaba , Michigan , harvested and processed 100,000 sq. ft. of 'bird's eye maple' to be used in the 'Queen Mary' English luxury liner.
During the lumber boom era, the row of saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City was known as 'Hell's Half Mile'.
In 1942, the Davison Freeway in Detroit was completed and became the world's first urban freeway.
The world's first shopping mall (Northland Mall), opened in the Detroit suburb of Southfield in 1954.
There are over 11,000 lakes in Michigan .
The world's only marble lighthouse is located on Belle Isle. ( Livingston Lighthouse).
The home offices of Life Savers Candy, Beech-Nut Gum, and Squirt soft drinks are in Holland , Michigan .
Michigan ranks Number 1 nationally in the production of dog sleds.
The nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex is Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village ..
The onion is Michigan 's largest fresh-market vegetable crop.
YOU'RE AN OLD DETROITER (OR JUST OLD) if ....
......You took a 'moonlight cruise' to Bob-Lo with Captain Bob-Lo or went to Edgewater Amusement Park ....
.....You shopped at Hughes and Hatcher, B Siegel, Peck and Peck, Himelhoch's, Robert Hall, Crowley 's, Shoppers Fair, EJ Korvettes or Federals.
.....You rode the elevator at J. L. Hudson's, which was 'run' by an elevator operator.
.....You remember a Winkleman's and Sanders store in your neighborhood.
.....You remember the 'Big Snow', Buffalo Bob, Howdy Doody, Clarabelle, Phineas T.Bluster, Princess Summer-Fall-Winter-Spring.
.....You remember Twin Pines Dairy delivered milk and juice to the chute on the side of your house and Milky the Clown performed magic with the magic words 'Twin Pines.' ..
....You remember the Good Humor man in a white uniform, ringing the bells as he drove down your street.....You remember Olympia Stadium.
.....You remember when Vernors was made on Woodward Ave. , and a bearded troll was on the bottle.
.....Your Mom got groceries at Great Scott, Food Fair, Wrigley's or Chatham......Your Mom saved Golden Red Stamps, S&H Green stamps, or Gold Bell Gift stamps, and you licked them into those little books.
.....Kresge's and Woolworth's were 'Dime Stores.'
.....You had an uncle in the furniture business (Joshua Door).
.....You know who Bill Kennedy is.
.....You saw the Detroit Lions play football in Tiger Stadium.
.....You remember Black Bart and the Faygo song. Or how about 'Which way did he go? He went for Faygo, old fashion root beer.'
.....You visited the Wonder Bread Bakery and got to take home a mini loaf of bread.
....Your address had a two-digit 'zone' before there were zip codes. Detroit 19, Michigan .
......You remember a laundry chute and a milk chute and a coal chute.
......You remember going to Detroit Edison with your Mom to exchange burned out light bulbs for new ones.

"Goodbye until later".

WINTER STORM

When I got up this morning and looked out my kitchen winter this was the view. The street had a few tracks. The pine tree limbs were drooping with the heavy snow and I couldn't see a lick of grass.

The Winter Storm in Genesee county left us with 4 to 5 inches of snow. Some schools and businesses were closed. Many schools are on Spring Break this week.





There seemed to be many accidents and some power outages as I listened to the morning news. The snow is so heavy that one road is closed because it is feared a telephone pole will fall because of the weight of the snow.

This robin along with several others do not know where to go. They fly from trees to bushes. I'm sure they are thinking they came back to Michigan way to early.

Later we went outside to clean our driveway and had to get our snow shovels down from being stored above the garage. Who would think we'd need them April 6?

The snow is a wet and very heavy snow. It's beautiful to look at; excellent for making a snowman or having a snowball fight. Neither of which I am planning to do.

The good news is the ground is not frozen and with a little sun this snow will be gone soon.

That's what you get when you live in Michigan.

"Goodbye until later".

MICHIGAN

For all my friends and relatives that are not on Facebook we are back in Michigan.

We left Alabama April 1, stayed overnight in Goodlettsville, TN and the next day at 8 PM we were in front of our house.

The weather was great all the way home. The traffic was not heavy and it was really a pretty smooth trip back.

When we got home we immediately unloaded our fifth-wheel as the forecast for Friday was rain.

The weatherman was right because we did get some rain, so Friday was spent putting everything away and getting some groceries.

Sunday after church we had a great Sunday dinner with our kids and grand kids.

Mother nature just couldn't let us come home without some more snow. Tonight we are suppose to get a snowstorm.

"Goodbye until later".

LEAVING FOR MICHIGAN

If your reading this blog you will know we are on the road back to Michigan.

Monday I cleaned the inside of our fifth-wheel. I did a little extra. I cleaned the screens and windows, pulled the furniture out and sweep where the furniture sits. Now the carpet is sweep, the floors cleaned, bathroom sinks, shower and toilet are ready for our next trip with the fifth-wheel. I sure wish when I get home it was this easy to do my Spring cleaning inside the house.

Denny did his fair share outside cleaning the underneath compartments, loading the bikes and putting the covers on them.

I will post more once we get our stuff moved back into the house, groceries bought and I feel settled.

"Goodbye until later".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN!!

Today is our oldest grandson's birthday. He is no longer a teenager.

Nathan Happy 20th Birthday!!

Sorry we can't be with you today, but we'll have our own celebration with you when we get home.

HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!

Love ya, Gramma & Grandpa

I'M STILL HERE

I'm still here in Alabama. I just got a little slack in posting. From Thursday to Saturday we had rain, rain and more rain with lots of lightening and thunder. No flooding around our fifth-wheel, but the entrance to the RV park had water. And from all the TV news reports there were many roads closed because of flooding. On Friday we even heard of a school that cancelled classes because some of their buses couldn't get down the roads to pick up the children.

Saturday it cleared up by noon and the sun came out and it was a steamy 80 degrees and humid. Pam, Denny and I decided to go to the Elberta Festival. This is a yearly festival at nearby Elberta, put on by the fire department and the proceed go to the fire department. We had one of their sausages on a bun, then we checked out the vendors. I think because of the heavy rains, there were fewer vendors and the crowds were way down. We walked right up to the window for our sausage and in years past we have waited 45 minutes. After soggy feet from the wet grounds and listening to the music being played we decided to head back to Gulf Shores.

Sunday we went to church for the last time in Alabama this year. When we left to go to church we noticed many of our fellow RVers had gotten up early and had left the RV park. All weekend long there has been many campers leaving to head back home.

This Monday and Tuesday we will spend getting stuff ready to head back home. I will be cleaning inside and putting things back in their place for travel. Denny will put our bikes on the bike carrier and clean the underneath cabinets.

As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end". And we have had a great 3 months with our Michigan friends in the RV park and my sister and her husband. On Wednesday we will head back to Michigan to our family and friends up North. Life doesn't get much better.

"Goodbye until later".

CHICK N' HENS

I just had to show a picture of my Chicks n' Hens. They love it down here in the sunny, humid Alabama air.

I brought the Chicks n' Hens down with me and should have taken a picture of what they looked like when we arrived after spending the first part of the winter in our garage.

I also had a tub of Chicks n' Hens I left at home and sure wish I had brought them with me, but there is always next year.

"Goodbye until later."

FISH FRY WITH FRIENDS

Last night we went to a fish fry at Sharon and Mike's lot. Mike and Roger love to fish and at the end of the winter stay they fry the fish and everyone brings a dish to pass, their own drink and a chair we all sit and talk and eat.

The majority of people at this fish fry were from Michigan. That's because two thirds of the RV park are Michigan people. There was a couple from Wisconsin and Minnesota

The second picture is of some of the men watching the fish in the fryers.

Mike had a coating he used for the fish, but would not give his special coating out. He said it was his father's recipe.

There was a mixture of white fish, croker and perch.

The two picnic tables where loaded with cold potato salad, cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, broccoli salad, breads, sour kraut and sausage, strawberry dessert, chocolate dessert, Jewish potatoes and a rice dish. I'm sure there was more, but that's all I can remember. It started out to just be fish and finger food. It was a meal.

Pat and her husband (not me) had bought a couple of puppets they had bought at the Fairhope Festival and everyone got such a hoot out of these toys.

The puppets are suppose to be for their grand children, but the adults were sure having a good time with them.

We are all kids at heart and just had a good time with our friends we see only while we stay here for three months.

"Goodbye until later".

FAIRHOPE FESTIVAL

57th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival was held in Fairhope March 20-22. What a great day for the Fairhope Festival.

Friday, Pam and I went to this festival. More than 200 exhibitors from all over the nation showed their juried arts and crafts.

There was live music going on throughout the day and unique cuiseine was served in the food court. It all takes place on the streets of downtown Fairhope.

Last year, the event attracted more than 250,000 visitors to the area.

My sister was unable to attend the festival with us because she sprained her ankle the day before. That meant we lost our driver. Nancy knows her way around and where we could have gone to park for free. So, Pam drove and we parked in the public parking lot of Bruno's and caught the BRATS shuttle service right to the main street. Only $1. one way.

We entered the downtown streets of Fairhope at 11:00am. There was so many artists with each having their own personal colors and displays of their merchandise.

Some of the merchandise was way above our budget. We'd have to win the lottery to be able to afford the merchandise.

Soon after only walking down half of Fairhope Ave. to the Section St. we went to the Food Court to get something to eat.

I bought a Fish Basket. Two huge pieces of fish and fries was far more than I could eat. We were lucky enough to find a picnic table to rest our bodies before we started out again.

We continued on. Up one side of the Arts and Crafts booths and down the other side. We did not miss one booth. The picture of me with the hat full of beads is a Mardi Gras hat. Or at least I should say we saw many people wearing these hats. NO, I didn't buy one.

But I did find a couple of gifts for birthday and Christmas. No picture and I'm not going to tell what they are. You just going to have to wait.

"Goodbye until later".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!

39 years ago today our son Christopher was born. Where did the time go???

We love you and hate to miss your birthday, but we'll celebrate your birthday when we get home.

Enjoy your day!!

Love ya, Mom & Dad

DAUPHIN ISLAND

Yesterday morning, we boarded the Mobile Bay Ferry at Fort Morgan. After waiting for 28 cars to load the ferry we walked our bikes on. Nancy, Denny and I were the only walk-ons headed to Dauphin Island for the day on this trip across Mobil Bay. The ferry was at full capacity for their load of vehicles. The ferry left the dock promptly at 10:15 am headed to Dauphin Island.

We couldn't have asked for a better day. The water was calm, the sun was out as a slight breeze blew. Today, we were aboard the larger ferry with upper decks. Nancy and I walked up to the upper deck to check things out. Once we were up on top the only things we could see were oil rigs, sea gulls, and the water of Mobil Bay. No pictures will be in today's blog. Once aboard the ferry, I discovered my battery was dead in my camera. Oops...I guess I better check the battery next time I'm going on a side trip.

One half hour later we were docking at Dauphin Island. The pedestrians must wait for the cars and trucks to unload. Soon we were off the ferry and we started to bike past the RV park to the Sea Lab Estuarium. Denny and I have been through the Estuarim, but we want to use the restrooms and take a quick look in their gift shop.

Our main reason for coming to Dauphin Island is to bike. So, with a short stop we are back on the black top path beside the road. The main road is only 7 miles long on this island, it's a short distance to all amenities.

We were now headed for The Lighthouse Bakery. The plan is to eat lunch and head to the public beach. We make another rest stop at the local park and get our water bottles out for a drink. Just a short trip down the street at the four way stop and we arrive at The Lighthouse Bakery; just ahead of the lunch crowd. A large sandwich (Nancy and I took half home), chips and drink was enjoyed by all of us.

Next, we head back to the main path, but stop at a local gift shop on the way. Purchases were made; a quick drink of our water and we're on the path again heading for the beach.

Just shortly down the bike path and we stop at the public beach. The beach has plenty of sun bathers. After using the restroom and drinking more water, we are on the path biking pass the local hotel, pizza restaurant and real estate buildings. Before long we turn around and head back. We want to get back to the pier to load the 2:00 pm ferry going back to Ft. Morgan.

We arrive at the pier in plenty of time to take a quick walk on a wood pier and sit at the picnic table until the cars, trucks and motorcyles start to board the ferry. Departing right on time with 22 cars, 2 motorcyles and 9 walk-ons counting us. We were again the only walk-ons with bikes.

The water was a little choppy going back because the wind had picked up from this morning. We all enjoyed our day on Dauphin Island and I know I didn't have any trouble getting to sleep last night after spending a day in the sun and biking.

SPANISH MOSS ON OAK TREES

I took this picture of Spanish Moss on a Oak tree on the biking/walking path we use. This is something we don't have in Michigan. It's always fascinating to me to see the Spanish Moss on these huge Oak trees. Although they do grow on other trees.

Although, I'm no expert, here are some things I have learned about Spanish Moss:
It grows slowly, and spreads from branch to branch and tree to tree, probably by the wind.
It houses tiny "bugs" or "thingies" (mites and chiggers) that should not be brought into your house. It should be treated by spraying with an insect spray and allowed to dry and air out before bringing into the house.

It doesn't survive (live) inside a house because there isn't enough moisture, so if you use it for decoration, you will have to replace it to keep it from looking shriveled up, dried out, colorless, and "dead".

It lives only in areas of high humidity, and does best close to bodies of water. If you live in a dry climate, don't even bother trying to keep any alive.

While it doesn't technically kill a tree by living on it's branches and robbing it of nutrients, if it grows too thick, it will block sunshine from the leaves as it grows, and eventually the branches of the trees upon which it resides will die. It can also overburden branches by its weight and cause them to break. usually has Spanish Moss on it.

Because it absorbs a lot of water when it rains, heavy clumps of Spanish Moss can cause entire branches of the Live Oak tree to break off.

Other than pulling it off the tree branches, I don't know of anything that will kill it without damaging the trees.

I love seeing it in the Live Oak trees, but it isn't anything I would bring into my house for decoration.

"Goodbye until later".

A BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES

Saturday night we had tickets to the South Baldwin Community Theatre and saw the play A Bad Year for Tomatoes. This is the third play we have gone to see at SBCT. This was a very entertaining play. Lots of laughs and good acting.

Myra Marlowe, the main character is an actress that has moved to a small New England home in the village of Beaver Haven. She decides to take time off work and write her biography. Her friend, Tom Lamont helps her move in and does have feeling for her. Tom leaves to go back to LA.

Neighbors, Reba Harper and Cora Gump come to welcome Myra to Beaver Haven and fill her in on other people in the community. Reba is a nosey neighbor that knows everything about everyone in Beaver Haven. Cora is a drinker which lends to more laughter in the play.

Willa Mae Wilcox is another neighbor and claims to have the ability to read your palm. In Scene 2 she reads Myra's palm which lends to details later. Piney is also a neighbor that performs odd jobs and comes to pay a visit to see if Myra needs manure, firewood or hickory nuts.

Every time Myra begins to write her biography by using her tape recorder, these neighbors come and interrupt Myra. Myra finally concocts a mental sister thinking this will prevent these neighbors from coming to interrupt her.

All of the acts and scenes take place in her living room in Beaver Haven. The plan to invent a mental sister fails and this brings another character on stage, the sheriff.

I could go on and on describing each scene and more about the characters, but this is all I will tell you about this play because maybe some day you will go see A Bad Year for Tomatoes and be entertained as much as we were.

"Goodby until later".

BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME

This past Friday Nancy, Larry, Pam, Denny and myself went to Bellingrath Gardens and Home.

The gardens and home are located in Theodore, AL just west of Mobil.

Every since Denny and I have been vacationing in Gulf Shores I've wanted to visit Bellingrath. This place is really worth going to see.

The home and gardens were owned by Bellingrath a buyer for Coke in the 1900's. The manicured gardens and home are located on 65 acres.

I took many, many photos and it was very hard to choose which ones I would put on this posting. The walking paths are loaded with azaleas this time of year. The pictures do not show the beautiful pink, white, purple azaleas along the paths.

As we continue to walk the paths we walk through the rose garden. It says there is 2500 rose plants representing more than 50 varieties. None of the roses were in bloom yet. I can only imagine how beautiful if must be in this rose garden in June.

Next, we come to the Conservatory. It was as if you were inside the rain forest.

I took this picture of an elephant foot tree. It looks just like and elepant's foot don't you think?

There were ferns, hanging baskets, impatients and many, many more tropical plants inside the conservatory.

After leaving the conservatory we saw the butterfly garden, great lawn and next came to the Foutain Plaza.

This was just one of the many foutains in this fountain plaza.

The picture does not do the fountain justice. You would have to be there to see these beautiful flowing foutains.

We continue to walk and come to the Bellingrath home.

No pictures were allowed inside the Bellingrath home. The house was completed in 1935. The 15 room home has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths and the Bellingrath's had no children. The home was furnished with many antiques and porcelain figures collected by Mrs. Bellingrath.

This picture is as we were leaving Mrs. Bellingrath's office and entering the main part of the home.
The home is on Fowl River and a boat ride is offered. We chose to was down the Bayou boardwalk offers a winding trip across the southern bayou allowing a close-up view of fish, turtles, water fowl and birds.

We are now on our way back to the entrance. And come to the Lion Overlook, the Rustic Bridge, the Chapel. Yes, private weddings are held at Bellingrath.

Before leaving the garden area we come to some Lacey cabbage and broccoli plants. Who would think vegtables would make your garden look so good.

Before heading home we took a look inside their gift shop. If you are ever in the area Bellingrath is worth the visit.

"Goodbye until later".

BIKING

I really enjoy riding my bike while we are in Gulf Shores.
If I'm biking with Denny, Pam or Nancy the time goes fast and before we know it we have biked eight miles.
If we go one way out of our RV park it's four miles to the end. Along this way there are many houses, a gas station, restaurant and golf course.
We pass over a wooden bridge and see Spanish Moss growing on live Oaks.
If we go biking the other way out of our RV park down the bike path it's 2 miles one way. We pass another golf course, lots of houses and at the corner is Walgreens, Rite Aid, Burger King, laundry mat and various other stores. If we crossed I-180 the sidewalk continues and we could bike right to the Gulf of Mexico beach. Biking is something we learn as a kid, but can still enjoy as an adult. If you haven't biked lately try it.

"Goodbye until later".

SECOND PLACE

Congradulations go to Denny!!

As you can see he took second place in Class A of his Snow Birds Horseshoe League.

The leader of this league makes these trophies. They're one of a kind.

"Goodby until later".

A LADY OF MANY CRAFTS

I have met so many crafters this year while in our RV park and that means new projects.

The picture is of a Trellis necklace I learned to make this necklace in our craft class on Tuesday mornings.

The necklace is made of Trellis yarn. An "I" or "J" crochet hook is used.

First, you measure 14 inches of the trellis yarn; next chain for 12 inches. Then measure 14 more inches and cut off the roll. Tie a knot at both ends of the chain. You will make 5 total strands. With five strings, tie together holding each knot together. To finish use a large eye blunt needle and put the end of strings through a bead. Tie a knot to the end leaving about an half inch for fringe. When you wear the necklace you can slide the bead to the desired length you want to wear the necklace.

When finished the necklace is so light weight you won't know your wearing it.

"Goodbye until later".

VIKING KNIT

On Wednesday while Denny was playing horseshoes I took a class to learn how to do Viking Knit a the local Blue Girl Beading Co. store in Gulf Shores.

Viking Knit is the process of knitting with 24 or 26 gauge craft wire. The wire weaving technique commonly know as Viking knitting has been around for centuries, and requires no more than your hands, 24 or 26 gauge craft wire and dowel.

Once, the Viking Knit technique is learned it is just a matter of continuing the technique around the dowel until you have 4 inches to make a bracelet.

When finished, the wire is slide off the dowel and pulled through a paddle with various drilled holes in it. By pulling your project through the hole of your choice, your end product is the size you want. A cone is attached to one end and next you must hold the Viking Knit up to your wirst to determine the size needed and cut. The cone for the other end is attached next and a desired clasp attached. I chose silver wire for my Viking Knit bracelet, but it also looked sharp in copper.

"Goodbye until later".

WEDNESDAY IS THE DAY OF GAMES

As, I promised in an earlier blog, I said I would post Denny playing horseshoes. Every Wednesday afternoon since we have been down here Denny goes to play horseshoes.

This is really a sport. I have played and it's not as easy as the men playing horseshoes make it look.

Each player is placed in a class when they play. The classes are numbered AA, A, B, C. When Denny started to play he was in class B. He has improved, and is now in class A.

Before they start the games AA & A pick a red chip with a number on the chip and class B and C players draw a green chip with the numbers on there chip. The red and green matching chips is your partner to play horseshoe games for the day.

Six or seven games are played, but no games are started after 3PM. There is a schedule that is made out and that is how the players know what teams they play. No makeup day if it rains.
So, far there was one rain day.


Ringers count 3 points and closest horseshoe to the stake counts 1 point. The game is played to 21.

Women or players over the age of 70 get to toss their horseshoes at 30 feet. Anyone younger stand at 40 feet.

The league play every Wednesday. And on Monday and Friday horseshoes is played for fun and practise.

If you look closely to the last picture you can see each player have hooks to get their horseshoes out of the sand. There is no cost to play just lots of fun and a great way to meet more Michiganders.

"Goodbye until later".

THE BALDWIN POPS

Last night we spend listening to The Baldwin Pop's winter concert at the Fairhope Civic Center. The program was titled A World of Musical Memories. The video below is just a short preview of Espana Cani by Pascual Marquina Arr: Robert Longfield.

We were treated to seven songs before an intermission. The second half of the concert began with a piano solo by Jeanne O'Connell. She also plays flute and harp.

The Baldwin Pops musicians are all volunteers and preform in various concerts throughout the year. If you look closing at this video you will see my sister playing clarinet.

The conductor Roger Jones gave us a great introduction to each song before it was preformed.

Enjoy!